WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

Evening Star, Issue 14932, 19 July 1912, Page 1

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

The vacant High Commissionership will no doubt receive the early attention of the Massey Government, and we trust a suitable appointment will ere long be made. Several names of possible, candidates for the office have been mentioned, including that of the late Prime Minister (Mr Thomas Mackenzie) • and if Mr Mackenzie should prove the most suitable person available for the position Mr Massey may be relied on to make the appointment, regardless of the political color of the gentleman in question. It can reasonably be claimed that Mr Mackenzie is possessed of some of the qualities required in the occupant of this important office, and his recent experiences as a Minister of the Crown and head of the Department of Agriculture would certainly prove of value if turned to account' in the High Commissioner's Department in London. One of the questions which the Government might reasonably consider in this connection is the possible advantages which might accrue to the Public Service from the introduction of a system of transfers of officers between the London office and the departments in New Zealand.— ' Dominion.' * # * The people wish to have the very important London duties assigned to the man best qualified by knowledge, practical experience, and energy to undertake them successfully; and we are confident the country generally will have confidence in Mr Mackenzie's ability to intelligently work for New Zealand's welfare at the heart of the Empire. Ever since he has been in public life Mr Mackenzie has been an active student of this country's trade and a close observer of its resources. Notably during the past two or three years he has boon keenly vigilant for new openings for New Zealand's produce, and he has an obviously genuine wish to assist valuably in the profitable exploitation of fresh markets. It is not easy to see on the political, semipolitical, or non-political horizon to-day a, man more fitted for this task than Mr Mackenzie. lie may not be the " beau ideal " for the London office from all viewpoints, but we are satisfied that lie has sufficient excellent qualifications, especially on the practical side—and the country elderly needs persistent, shrewd work—to commend him to the favorable notice of the Government. Wellington 'Post.' * * * A rumor is in circulation that the Government intend to treat the vast areas in the Dominion with an application of the Graduated Land Tax system, and that "in order not to hamper the Government some of their followers, who are themselves interested in extensive landed estates, have signified their intention to support the proposals that are to be brought down." This seems almost too good to lie true. We may assume that Mr Massey has earned the friendship of the large landholders as n result ot the policy ho advocated years ago, not because he is a "reformer," therefore we are somewhat sceptical. But if the report prove to bo correct we shall not complain, because so long as the increased productiveness of the land is ensured we care not whose are the hands that bring it into effect. When tho la-id monopolists advocate— or tolet ate drastic ref'o* ms conflicting with their interests, nothing will be impossible, and we sincerely hope that the age of miracles has not- passed.— Southland ' News.' * ■» * We trust that the Reform Government will, with no mora delay than is unavoidable, take in band the entire reorganisation of our representation in London, and that one of their first tasks will be to secure a site for offices which will bring New Zealand rather more prominently before the British public. The whole system of advertising New Zealand at Home requires overhauling. It- is quite possible that more good work is done in this direction than the people of New Zealand realise; but if any injustice has been done, to the High Commissioner in this respect it is the fault of past Governments, which have persisted in treating liis work as a State secret, on no account to be revealed to Parliament.— Christchurch ' Press.' * * ■» Woman has claimed that she has a right to develop her personality as she pleases, and no one can refuse her the light. Unfortunately, the social movement of our time has made it easier ior her to develop on lines which are apparently detrimental to her health in the long run. Perhaps she will find that out in time, and seek for other outlets for her energy. _ But the newlygained independence will not lightly be parted with. The question is at bottom an economic one, and until a solution is found on economic lines it will remain a source of difficulty.—Hawke's Bay 'Herald.' M- * * It is obvious that the Federation of Labor are not disposed to make any sacrifice of dignity, hut we cannot, believe that they would refuse io end a useless struggle if they were given an opportunity io retire with the --honois of «ar." It is along this lip-- of least resistance that Mr Massey will have to seek a basis of settlement. His taskis by no means an easy one. but that fact- will hardly deter him from eeeepting his responsibility in the matter.— ' Lvttelton Times.' ■if * # If Mr Massey will go further with the Graduated Land Tax than the Mackenzie Government were prepared in go he will shatter at once and for all tiimthe empty taunts which have been Welled against the "reactionary Tories " and the " old Conservative party" with whom it- has always been the aim of the Liberals to identify Mr Massey and his colleagues. If Mr Massey has the courage to prove bis Liberalism in his first policy statement lie will not only increase his majority in the House, hut he will enormously .strengthen his position in the country and win the confidence of thousands who have at present suspended judgment, but who are prepared to give a decision in his favor if bis policy should be genuinely Liberal and in the interests of the eo ram unity as a whole.— Southland ' Times.' * * # The new Government have an opportunity to initiate a self-reliant policy. 'The people must be < ncouraged to lean upon themselves to s, greater extent than has been the ease in recent years. This will be an unpopular contention, and cannot be given effect to suddenly ; but the inclination of all classes of the community now is to expect too much State assistance. Tho. State's duty does, not lie in the direction of spoonfeeding. A policy of business method and common sens-? is requirid. under which everyone will have a square deal. If Mr Massey's Government can evolve this they will more than justify their existence.—Mataura ' Ensign.'

The DO officers attached to the Defence Department last year cost tho country almost oxactly £40,000, or a little over £440 per head. Now ws have no doubt that many of these officers are individually worth at least that salary to the country, but tho cumulative effect of these figures is certainly to suggest that we are already creating a superfluously largo staff of officers, and that we are running our new Defence system on comparatively extravagant lines. We arc far from desiring to depreciate the system, or to discourage its promoters and those responsible for. its success; but if the system is not worked on modern and economical lines there is certain to he a strong reaction of public feeling against it. And the facts wo have cited seem to justify our fear that the enthusiasm of the professional military element—which, of course, is indispensable to the success of the whole system—lias already induced tho Defence Department to outrun discretion in the matter of expenditure.— Auckland ' Star.'